Animal exercising device

ABSTRACT

A portable power operated animal exercising device that is relatively light in weight, and can be transported to a desired destination in a collapsed condition to occupy a minimum of space. The device is adjustable both vertically and horizontally to accomodate an animal of a particular height, as well as to vary the radius of the circular path through which the animal is guided in exercising.

United States Patent n91 Pillsbury, Jr.

[ Feb. 13, 1973 ANIMAL EXERCISING DEVICE [76] Inventor: Charles H.Pillsbury, Jr., 2253 Stonyvale Road, Tujunga, Calif. 91042 [22] Filed:Jan. 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 108,708

[52] US. Cl ..ll9/29 [51] Int. Cl. ..A0lk 15/00 [58] FieldofSearch..119/29,1l7,121

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS McMurray ..1 19/29 1/1969Fischeretal ..1l9/29 11/1949 Schrader ..119/29 Primary ExaminerA1drichF. Medbery AttorneyWilliam C. Babcock [5 7] ABSTRACT A portable poweroperated animal exercising device that is relatively light in weight,and can be transported to a desired destination in a collapsed conditionto occupy a minimum of space. The device is adjustable both verticallyand horizontally to accomodate an animal of a particular height, as wellas to vary the radius of the circular path through which the animal isguided in exercising.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB13 I975 INVENTOR. 6l/ARLES H.P/usaum ANIMAL EXERCISING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention An animal exercising device.

2. Description of the Prior Art Household pets such as dogs, cats andthe like need exercise, particularly walking, to remain in a state ofoptimum health. In the case of dogs, this is normally acm complished byplacing the dog on a leash and walking the animal. However, in cities,this mode of exercising is frequently difficult to carry out, and istime consuming on the part of the owner. In some situations, the ownerof an animal will pay a person to physically walk an animal such as adog, but this approach has the disadvantage that it is expensive over aprolonged period of time.

The primary purpose in devising the present invention is to supply apower operated lightweight, collapsible exercising device for one ormore animals. The device when in the collapsed condition occupies aminimum of space for transportation and storage purposes. I

Another object of the invention is to supply an exercising device thatmay be used to concurrently exercise a number of animals withoutattention on the part of the user thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An exercising device that includes acollapsible base that supports a housing having a smooth externalsurface, to prevent damage to an animal by the latter inadvertentlycoming in contact therewith, and the housing enclosing power operatedmeans that drives an upwardly extending first shaft. A second shaft isadjustably mounted for vertical movement on the first shaft. The secondshaft may be varied as to height on the first shaft, dependent upon thesize of the animal or animals being exercised.

The second shaft supports a cross'head that has one or more tubular armsextending outwardly therefrom, and this tubular arm telescopicallysupporting arms of smaller diameter. Each assembly of telescopically.adjustable arms is so arranged that the leash on an animal to beexercised may be removably secured to the most outwardly disposedportion-of the assembly, and the arm assemblies when rotated causing theanimal to be exercisedto walk in a circular path.

When the arm assemblies are not in use, they are pivoted to upwardlyextending positions and removably secured to one another for theexercising device to occupy a minimum ofspace, which is highly desirablewhen thedevice is being stored or transported from one location toanother. The power operated means used in rotating the arms ispreferably both reversible and adjustable as to speed, and as a resultthe animals being exercised may be caused totransverse a circular pathat a desired pace and in a desired direction.

A major object of the present invention is to supply an animalexercising device that is of an extremely simple mechanical structure,is easy to use, may be collapsed to occupy a minimum of space, whenbeing transported or when stored, is adjustable for use with differentsized animals, and can exercise the animals by walking them around acircular path of a desired diameter.

Another object of the invention is to supply an animal exercise devicethat can be fabricated from standard commercially available material,requires no elaborate plant facilities for its production, and may beproduced at a sufficiently low price as to encourage the wide-spread usethereof by persons having but a single pet, as well as by kennels whereit is necessary to exercise a number of animals concurrently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a firstform of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the first form of theinvention taken on the line 2-2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view of the first formof the invention taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a modification of the first form ofthe invention, and showing the same in a collapsed position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the modified first form shown in FIG. 4,but with the base legs pivoted to extend outwardly to prevent the devicefrom being tipped over by the animal or animals being exercised;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second form of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross sectional view of the second form of theinvention taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The first form A of theinvention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a circular base B that hasa frusto-conical housing C removably secured thereto. A prime mover D issituated within the confines of the housing C and by means that willlater be explained in detail, drives a first vertically disposed shaftE. The first shaft E has a second shaft F telescopically mounted withinthe confines thereof, and the second shaft being vertically adjustableto a desired height relative to the first shaft E by a pin G or othersuitable adjustable means.

The second shaft F has a horizontal cross head H rigidly secured to theupper end thereof, and this cross head pivotally supported two firstarms J that extend outwardly therefrom in opposite directions. 'Ifdesired, additional pairs of first arms J may be provided (not shown)that are intermediately positioned between the two arms J. Each arm Jpreferably has second and third tubular arms J and J" telescopicallymounted therein, and the arm J" on the outer extremity thereofsupporting a snap hook X that may be removably secured to a looped endof a leash L that extends to the collar M of the animal N to beexercised. The prime mover D is preferably an electric motor, when theprime mover D is electrically energized, the arms J are cause to rotatein a horizontal plane, and exert forces on the leashes L to cause theanimals N to walk in a circular path so long as the prime mover D isenergized.

The base B shown in FIG. 1 is preferably circular and is formed from asuitable sheet material. The base B includes three segments 8-1, B-2 and8-3 that are pivotally secured to one another by hinges 10 ofconventional design, to permit the base to be folded into a compactconfiguration when the first form of the device A is stored ortransported from one location to another. The intermediately positionedbase section B- 1 has a number of satchel type fasteners 12 securedthereto, which also have portions thereof removably secured to the lowerexternal surface 14 of the housing C.

The housing C includes a side wall 16 that is of frusto-conical shape,and has an upper closed end 18 best seen in FIG. 2. The lower interiorportion of the side wall 16 is closed by a base plate 19 that rests onand is secured to the intermediate base section B-l. The lower end ofthe housing C when mounted on the base section B-l as shown in FIG. 2snuggly engages the I base plate 19. The base plate 19 supports anupright 20 that develops on its upper end into a circular plate 22 thatis adjacently disposed to the upper end 18. The upright 20 has aconventional geared down electrical motor assembly 24 secured thereto bybolts 26 or other conventional fastening means. The motor 24 drives agrooved pulley 28 that is engaged with a horizontally positionedresilient endless belt 30 that extends through an opening 32 in upright20, and engages a driven pulley 34 mounted on the first shaft E.

The first shaft E has the lower end thereofjournalled in a thrustbearing 36 that is secured to the base plate 19. Upright 20 on the upperportion thereof supports a bearing .38 that rotatably supports the firstshaft E, and the shaft E directly under the bearing 38 having a collar40 removably secured thereto by a set screw 42 or the like. The upperend 18 of housing C and plate 22 have vertically aligned openings 44formed therein through which the first shaft E extends upwardly. Thefirst shaft E has a number of longitudinally spaced transverse pairs ofopenings 46 formed therein and each pair of these openings capable ofbeing removably engaged by the pin G. The second shaft E has atransverse opening (not shown) therein that may be aligned with anydesired one of the pairs of openings 46. By use of the pin G, the secondshaft F may be held at any one of a number of vertically disposedelevations above the first shaft E, and the elevation so selected beingdetermined to a large degree by the size of the animal N that is to beexercised.

The head H as may be seen in detail in FIG. 3 is formed from arectangular block of metal or the like. A centrally disposed verticallyextending bore 48 is formed in the head H, and snuggly engages the upperend of the second shaft F. A bolt 50 engages a tapped bore (not shown)that is formed in the head H, and the bolt frictionally engaging theupper end of the second shaft F to hold the head H at a fixed positionthereon. The head H has two longitudinally spaced oppositely extendinggrooves 52 formed therein, and the adjacent end portions 54 of the firstarms J being movably disposed therein. Transverse pins 56 extend throughopenings in the head H and arm portions 54 to pivotally support thefirst arms .I from the head. The lower portions 52 of the grooves 52serve as stops to prevent the arms J pivoting downwardly below ahorizontal position. Openings 58 are formed in the head H and are incommunication with the grooves 52 to permit the arms J to be pivotedupwardly to the vertical position shown to the right in FIG. 3 when thedevice is being transported from one location to another, or when thedevice is being stored.

The collar 40 permits the first shaft E to be grasped to raisetheassembly from a ground surface, without the shaft E being displacedvertically relative to the housing C or motor assembly D. The snap typehooks K shown in FIG. 1 are not only adapted to have the leashes Lsecured thereto, but the hooks may also be caused to interlock to holdthe arms J in an upwardly extending position as shown in FIG. 4 when thedevice is being transported or when stored.

The modified form of the first form of the invention shown in FIGS. 4and 5 differs from the form illustrated in FIG. 1, in that the circularbase B is omitted therefrom, and instead four base legs P are providedthat are pivotally secured to the lower portion of the housing C bypivotal means 60 of a conventional na ture. The legs I when the deviceis being used are pivoted outwardly to the configuration shown in FIG.5. The pivot means 60 have suitable stops of a conventional nature (notshown) associated therewith to prevent the legs inadvertently pivotingrelative to the housing C, after the legs have been disposed in thehorizontal position illustrated in FIG. 5.

The housing C, base plate 19, upright 20 and circular plate 22 arepreferably formed from fiberglass material. The base B may likewise beformed from the same material if desired. When the housing C occupiesthe position shown in FIG. 2 on base B, the base plate 10 and thefasteners 12 cooperate to hold the housing C in a fixed stationeryposition relative to the base. The base plate 19, upright 20 and plate22 also cooperate with the housing C to provide a rigid structure tosupport the first and second shafts E and F, and to the extent that thedevice remains stable even when being used to walk two or morerelatively large dogs. Electric power is supplied to the motor assemblyD through a cord 62 that extends to a hand operated switch 64 that maynot only be used to control the direction of rotation of the motor D,but the speed thereof as well. The switch assembly 64 is connected by anelectrical conductor 66 that terminates in a pronged plug 48 that mayremovably engage a domestic electric outlet (not shown).

A second form A of the device is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 thatincludes a frusto-conical side wall 64 that has the upper end thereofclosed by a circular plate 66 in which an opening 68 is formed. Acircular flange 70 depends from the plate 66 and serves as a support fora bearing 72 that rotatably engages the first shaft E that in structureis identical to the shaft E previously described. The shaft E is drivenby a low speed high torque electrical motor 74 that is mounted on a baseplate 76 that closes the lower end of the housing C. Base plate 76 isremovably secured to housing C by screws 78 or other suitable fasteningmeans.

The second form A of the device is above the plate 66 identical with thefirst form A previously described.

A base B is provided that includes two semicircular segments 80 and 80that are pivotally connected along their diametrical edges by hinges 82.The semicircular base portions 80 and 80 have upwardly and. inwardlyextending center portions 84 and '84, which center portions have inneredges 86 and 86 that snuggly engage the lower exterior surface of thehousing C, and serve to hold the housing in a stationery position on thefloor surface 88 on which it rests. Power is supplied to the motor 74through a cord 62' in the same manner as cord 62 supplies electricalpower to the motor assembly D.

The use and operation of the invention is extremely simple. Theinvention is transported to a.desired location in the collapsedcondition, and the base B, legs P or base B, depending on the structureof the device, are caused to rest on the floor surface 88. The arms Jare then caused to assume the position shown in FIG. I, with the secondshaftF adjusted to the height that is appropriate for the particularsize animals N that are to be exercised. The arms J, J and J are thentelescoped outwardly to the extent that the animals N are caused to walkin a circular path of a desired diameter. The arms J and J arepreferably provided with set screws 90 and 92 that hold them in adesired longitudinal relationship with one another.

After the device has been used for exercising purposes and it is desiredto transport or store the same, the base B is separated from theassembly shown in FIG. 1, with the sections B-2 and B-3 folded tooverlie the section B-l. The arms J are then pivoted upwardly to theposition shown in FIG. 4 with the hooks K being interlocked with oneanother to hold the arms in this position. When the device employs thelegs P as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the legs can be held in the upwardlyextending position as shown in FIG. 4 by hooks or fastening means (notshown) that engage the hook K.

The second form of the invention B illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 is usedin the same manner as the first form, and with the base B being slippeddown over the housing C to rest on the floor surface 88, prior to thearms J being pivoted to the horizontal positions illustrated in FIG. 1.

lclaim:

l. A power driven, portable, collapsible animal exercising device forwalking at least one animal in a circular path, said animal having acollar mounted thereon to which a leash is attached, said device havinga means for compactly arranging it for storage and transportationincluding:

a. a base assembly in the form of a plurality of rigid sheets that arein edge abutting contact and are pivotally connected by hinge means,said sheets having a first position of lying flat on a supportingsurface and a second position pivoted to a collapsed position where theyoverlie one another and occupy a minimum of space for storage andtransportation purposes;

b. a housing that includes an upper closed end in which an opening isprovided;

c. first means for releasably supporting said housing in a fixedposition relative to said base;

d. a first shaft that extends into said housing through said opening,said shaft normally disposed tosaid surface when said base reststhereon;

e. bearing means in said housing for rotatably supporting said firstshaft;

f. an electric motor, in said housing for rotating said first shaft;

g. second means for supplying electric power to said motor; h. twoaxially aligned, longitudinally spaced first arms;

i. a head that pivotally supports the most adjacent portions of saidfirst arms, with said head supportmg said first arms in substantiallyhorizontal outwardly extending first positions, and in second upwardlyextending positions, said first arms occupying said second position whensaid device is being stored or transported;

j. third means for connecting said head to said first shaft; and

k. fourth means supported from said first arms for removably engagingsaid leashes to cause said animal to walk in a circular path when saidmotor 7 is energized to drive said first shaft, head and first arms.

2. An exercising device as defined in claim 1 in which said first meansare a plurality of spaced satchel type fasteners that include first andsecond portions that may removably engage one another and are secured tosaid housing and to one of said sheets.

3. An exercising device as defined in claim 1 in which said third meansis a second tubular shaft secured to said head and slidably engagingsaid first shaft, and fifth means for holding said second shaft, headand first arms at a desired elevation above said first shaft, to permitthe exercising of animals of various heights.

4. An exercising device as defined in claim 1 in which said fourth meansare two tubular second arms telescopically mounted on said first arms,fifth means for holding said second arms at desired relationship withsaid first arms, and spring loaded hook means secured to the extremityof said second arms that may removably engage said leashes to cause saidanimals to walk in a circular path of a desired radius, which radium isdetermined to the degree that said second arms extend outwardly fromsaid first arms.

5. A device as defined in claim I in which said fourth means includes aplurality of telescopically adjustable arms supported from said firstarms, fifth means for holding said telescopically adjustable arms infixed relationship with one another and with said first arms, and springloaded hook means supported from the outer extremities of saidtelescopically adjustable arms that may be removably secured to saidleashes to cause said animals to walk in a circularpath of a desiredradius.

6. An exercising device as defined in claim 8 in which said springloaded hook may not only engage said leashes, but may engage oneanother, to hold said arms in an upwardly extending position relative tosaid first shaft when said device is being stored or transported.

7. An exercising device as defined in claim 1 in which said housing isof frusto-conical shape and the sheets of said base assembly being ofsemi-circular shape and having upwardly extending arcuate centerportions that grip said housing when said sheets are resting on a flatsurface.

1. A pOwer driven, portable, collapsible animal exercising device forwalking at least one animal in a circular path, said animal having acollar mounted thereon to which a leash is attached, said device havinga means for compactly arranging it for storage and transportationincluding: a. a base assembly in the form of a plurality of rigid sheetsthat are in edge abutting contact and are pivotally connected by hingemeans, said sheets having a first position of lying flat on a supportingsurface and a second position pivoted to a collapsed position where theyoverlie one another and occupy a minimum of space for storage andtransportation purposes; b. a housing that includes an upper closed endin which an opening is provided; c. first means for releasablysupporting said housing in a fixed position relative to said base; d. afirst shaft that extends into said housing through said opening, saidshaft normally disposed to said surface when said base rests thereon; e.bearing means in said housing for rotatably supporting said first shaft;f. an electric motor, in said housing for rotating said first shaft; g.second means for supplying electric power to said motor; h. two axiallyaligned, longitudinally spaced first arms; i. a head that pivotallysupports the most adjacent portions of said first arms, with said headsupporting said first arms in substantially horizontal outwardlyextending first positions, and in second upwardly extending positions,said first arms occupying said second position when said device is beingstored or transported; j. third means for connecting said head to saidfirst shaft; and k. fourth means supported from said first arms forremovably engaging said leashes to cause said animal to walk in acircular path when said motor is energized to drive said first shaft,head and first arms.
 1. A pOwer driven, portable, collapsible animalexercising device for walking at least one animal in a circular path,said animal having a collar mounted thereon to which a leash isattached, said device having a means for compactly arranging it forstorage and transportation including: a. a base assembly in the form ofa plurality of rigid sheets that are in edge abutting contact and arepivotally connected by hinge means, said sheets having a first positionof lying flat on a supporting surface and a second position pivoted to acollapsed position where they overlie one another and occupy a minimumof space for storage and transportation purposes; b. a housing thatincludes an upper closed end in which an opening is provided; c. firstmeans for releasably supporting said housing in a fixed positionrelative to said base; d. a first shaft that extends into said housingthrough said opening, said shaft normally disposed to said surface whensaid base rests thereon; e. bearing means in said housing for rotatablysupporting said first shaft; f. an electric motor, in said housing forrotating said first shaft; g. second means for supplying electric powerto said motor; h. two axially aligned, longitudinally spaced first arms;i. a head that pivotally supports the most adjacent portions of saidfirst arms, with said head supporting said first arms in substantiallyhorizontal outwardly extending first positions, and in second upwardlyextending positions, said first arms occupying said second position whensaid device is being stored or transported; j. third means forconnecting said head to said first shaft; and k. fourth means supportedfrom said first arms for removably engaging said leashes to cause saidanimal to walk in a circular path when said motor is energized to drivesaid first shaft, head and first arms.
 2. An exercising device asdefined in claim 1 in which said first means are a plurality of spacedsatchel type fasteners that include first and second portions that mayremovably engage one another and are secured to said housing and to oneof said sheets.
 3. An exercising device as defined in claim 1 in whichsaid third means is a second tubular shaft secured to said head andslidably engaging said first shaft, and fifth means for holding saidsecond shaft, head and first arms at a desired elevation above saidfirst shaft, to permit the exercising of animals of various heights. 4.An exercising device as defined in claim 1 in which said fourth meansare two tubular second arms telescopically mounted on said first arms,fifth means for holding said second arms at desired relationship withsaid first arms, and spring loaded hook means secured to the extremityof said second arms that may removably engage said leashes to cause saidanimals to walk in a circular path of a desired radius, which radium isdetermined to the degree that said second arms extend outwardly fromsaid first arms.
 5. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said fourthmeans includes a plurality of telescopically adjustable arms supportedfrom said first arms, fifth means for holding said telescopicallyadjustable arms in fixed relationship with one another and with saidfirst arms, and spring loaded hook means supported from the outerextremities of said telescopically adjustable arms that may be removablysecured to said leashes to cause said animals to walk in a circular pathof a desired radius.
 6. An exercising device as defined in claim 8 inwhich said spring loaded hook may not only engage said leashes, but mayengage one another, to hold said arms in an upwardly extending positionrelative to said first shaft when said device is being stored ortransported.